PROGRAM FOR GRADES 2 - 3

'You're the Star of the Show!'

• Interactive Google slide show, sharing how a story     evolves, from idea to a published book 
• Read-aloud of STAR OF THE SHOW, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the writing process and plenty of audience participation
• Presentation of the elements of story - character, setting, conflict/problem and resolution
• Fun dramatization, role-playing and a social-emotional learning component
• Specific revision techniques so children can add pizzazz to their own stories

PROGRAM FOR GRADES 4-5

'Build-a Story Writing Workshop!'

• From Idea to Book! A lively Google slide show shows how a story evolves, from that first spark of an idea to a published book. 
• Interactive 'Build-a-Story' Discussion Together, we create a character - a person, an animal, maybe even a robot?  Then we'll ask the all-important question - What does your character want?  Next, we'll brainstorm other story ingredients: setting, problem/conflict, attempts to solve, climax, resolution and the theme or author's message.  
• Read-aloud and Story Analysis  I'll share one of my books so we can see these elements in action and explore some fun revision techniques so students can add pizzazz to their own writing
• Writing Time! Some students jump right in, while others like to plan or outline first. Some prefer to spend extra time developing their character in depth - imagining their feelings, situation or challenges, and motivations.  There's no right or wrong way - just a creative process at work! 

EVENING PROGRAM:
'Meet the Author Pajama Party' 

• An evening program where children return to school - dressed in pajamas, of course!
• Read-aloud of HOW WILL I EVER SLEEP IN THIS BED?  and another children's book, offers a behind-the-scenes look at the writing process and plenty of audience participation
• Bedtime-themed activites and Q & A
• Ideal for ages 4-8 but all family members are welcome!
  
  NOTE: This program can be presented during the school day and enhanced with more educational elements. Consider a 'Wear Pajamas to School Day!' to add to the fun! Let me know and I'll wear my pj's, too!

FEES

2025-2026 school year 
 

Full-Day In-Person Visit (3 or 4 presentations)

$550  (within 40 miles of Hyde Park, NY)

$650 plus expenses* (beyond 40 miles of Hyde Park, NY)

Half-day In-Person Visit (2 presentations)

$350  (within 40 miles of Hyde Park, NY)   

$500 plus expenses* (beyond 40 miles of Hyde Park, NY)

Evening Program (Meet the Author Pajama Party)

$250  (within 30 miles of Hyde Park, NY) 
$250  (when added to a full day visit with an overnight stay)

*Expenses include mileage, food, and possible lodging, if beyond 60 miles of Hyde Park, NY

For more information and a detailed flyer, please fill out the form on the CONTACT PAGE or email:
drferreri (at) optonline.net

I'd love to hear from you!

Sat August 9 The Bookstore Plus Sidewalk Signing  - Main Street,

Lake Placid, NY   1 - 3 
Sun Oct 12 Warwick Children's Book Festival  Warwick Valley Middle School, 225 West Street, Warwick, NY   11 - 4
Wed Nov 5 School visit - Kindergarten
Sat Nov 8 Childrens Writers of the Hudson Valley conference 
Wed Nov 12  Nursery School visit 
Fri Nov 21 School visit - PreK- Grade 4
Sat Nov 22 Carle Place Barnes & Noble (Long Island) Story Time + Book Signing - 91 Old Country Road, Carle Place, NY (Long Island)  11:00 

Sun Nov 23 Noxon Road PTA Holiday Craft Fair at Arlington High School  - LaGrangeville, NY   10 - 3 

Mon Nov 24 Staatsburg Library - 6:30 Story Time + Activities

70 Old Post Road, Staatsburg, NY

Sat Nov 29 Poughkeepsie Barnes & Noble 11:00 Story Time + Book Signing
Mon Dec 1 School visit - PreK-K
Wed Dec 3 Willow Bookshop & Lounge - 942 NY-376  Summerlin Plaza Wappingers Falls, NY  4:00 - 6:00 Story time, Crafts + Book Signing
Thurs Dec 4 School visit - Grades 4 & 5 'Build-A-Story' Writing Workshop
Sat Dec 6 Books & Greetings Bookstore - 271 Livingston St. Northvale, NJ 
12:00 Story Times + Signings with 4 holiday authors
Sun Dec 7 Split Rock Books - Main Street, Cold Spring, NY
10:30 Story Time + Book Signing
Mon Dec 8 Adriance Library- Story Time + Gingerbread House Decorating - pre-registration required   Please note: THIS EVENT IS FULL
Poughkeepsie, NY   5:00-6:15  
Thurs Dec 11 Hyde Park Library - 2 Main Street, Hyde Park, NY
Story time + Activity + Book Signing 6:30 pm 

Sat Dec 13 FDR Library and Museum Holiday Open House
Holiday Book Fair, 4079 Albany Post Road  Route 9, Hyde Park, NY  1:30 - 4:00
Sat Dec 20 Newburgh Barnes & Noble 11:30 Story Time + Book Signing

February 2026 World Read Aloud Day (WRAD) - virtual school visits available 9 am through 2:00 pm
Sat March 28 Poughkeepsie Children's Book Festival, Poughkeepsie, NY  Dutchess Community College, Falcon Hall  10 - 3 

School Visit Testimonials

"We absolutely loved having you visit. Everything you planned and did was fantastic and age appropriate. I loved all the opportunities for 'turn and talk' with a partner or group - you know how they love to talk! They really enjoyed drawing the buffet. It was great to see so many trying to add other details that they remembered from the story. I had lots of great feedback from the kids and parents in the following days...It was awesome! Thank you again! 

- Kindergarten teacher, EJR Elementary, Pine Bush

"Thank you for doing a wonderful presentation. The teachers are raving about your interaction with the students, the visuals, the movement with poetry, etc..."

- Karen Fowler, Library Media Specialist, Vail Farm Elementary School

"Thank you so much for your wonderful presentation last week. I have heard nothing but good things from teachers and students alike. There is a waiting list for your book from the library."

- Pamela Woodward, Netherwood Elementary School

If you're interested in learning more about writing children's books, check out our organization, Children's Writers of the Hudson Valley and consider attending one of our events in the Poughkeepsie, NY area. Click the button for more information about our upcoming conference: